Novatek-led Yamal LNG said it reached a milestone shipping the first million tons of LNG produced at its first train.

The first LNG train comprising 5.5 million tons per annum commenced LNG production in the fourth quarter 2017 with the loading of the inaugural tanker, the Christophe de Margerie, on December 8, 2017.

The LNG produced at Yamal LNG is transported by Arc7 ice class carriers each holding 170,000 cubic meters (about 74 thousand tons), Novatek said.

Yamal LNG reached the millionth ton shipped on the 14th cargo loaded and dispatched at the Sabetta seaport.

In late February a 72-hour performance test was conducted to confirm the design parameters of Phase 1 at the Yamal LNG plant. Average production rate exceeded the plant’s design capacity by 9 percent, demonstrating a higher efficiency of liquefying natural gas in the colder, arctic climatic environment.

Yamal LNG is constructing a 16.5 mtpa natural gas liquefaction plant utilizing the hydrocarbon resources of the South-Tambeyskoye field on the Yamal peninsula located in the Arctic territory of the Russian Federation.

Novatek, the largest Russian independent gas producer, operates the facility and owns a 50.1 percent share, with the remaining shareholders being, Total (20 percent), CNPC (20 percent), and the Silk Road Fund (9.9 percent).